Since we have a week to fill until #BlackPanther I'll kick off an #AfrofuturismShortFilmFestival of black scifi, magical realism and horror. First up is PUMZI (2009) directed by @wanuri Kahiu of Kenya. I love this film! (Use the hashtag to suggest faves.)

The disturbing dystopian short film WHITE (2011) by @sayeedamoreno feels like it's coming the day after tomorrow. What would YOU sacrifice to save your family? Also, Merry Christmas: but it's 120 degrees.

In Charlottesville, after shouts of "Jews will not replace us!" & anti-racism activist Heather Heyer's murder, Tr*mp said "very fine people on both sides" and helped normalize violent anti-Semitism & white supremacy. This is his legacy. His followers still refuse to see it.

On Wednesday, the day the first explosive devices were found, a white gunman tried to walk into a black church in Kentucky to shoot worshipers. When he couldn't get in, he went to a parking lot and killed a black man & woman." WEDNESDAY.

No, mass shootings are not new. But the deadly combination of poor gun control and a president who uses rhetoric to activate violence has created a crisis Congress has REFUSED to address. TR*MP is all of the worst things we said he would be, and Congress has done NOTHING.

This is life for black people under y'all's police state. Black men, women and children. Don't complain to me about "identity politics." It's called trying to live. Trying to raise our families. Trying to survive.

A year ago, my son & friends were as upset when they saw police handcuff a black teen at the park. "He wasn't doing anything." I wrote to our local police chief. To her credit, she called immediately to address it. But in the end, it was neighbors: "See something, say something."

So, yes, we need a drastic reimagining of policing practices in the U.S. The word "reform" doesn't even begin to cover it. But then we're still stuck with too many whites for whom black and brown skin alone is often cause for alarm. And the entitlement of calling police over B.S.

Related threads

Last year, I did a questionnaire focusing on Black women and science fiction. I haven't written much on it, and I couldn't figure out why until today. Today, I walk back and share the comments. #reclaimingmytime#phdchat#AcademicTwitter#blerd

Most of the responses were soooo valuable, and I know that #Blackgirlnerds are everywhere across the globe based on the 300+ responses that I received. But... there were a couple that I couldn't deal with at the time.

To keep these together, I'll use #NerdingWhileBlack ... I think it's appropriate when I think about all the times that people have been amazed that I read sci-fi and fantasy and watch anime consistently. I also think it fits since being a #nerd has often been raced as White.

Night Fishing 1 of 20:
Our supplies were dangerously low, so we brought the rig down to about four meters and let our baited lines dip into the marsh below. The scoops dropped to gather the water.#20TweetTales#Scifi#Fiction

Night Fishing 2 of 20:
Our airship, a cobbled-together mass of old airplain, school bus and junk drifted over the murky water.
The pieces of the shattered moon streaked across the cloudless sky gave us plenty of light.#20TweetTales#Scifi#Fiction

Night Fishing 3 of 20:
We listened to the crickets chirp for a minute, letting the serenity wash over us.
"Are they really out there?" Kymee asked.#20TweetTales#Scifi#Fiction

Kenya has shot up to 2nd Place after DRC.
MINING IN KENYA - the untold story of Gems under Kenya's Earth.
A Blue Sapphire mined from Garbatulla, Isiolo Kenya.#thebigconservationlie#thebigwhitelie

Worth far more is the Yellow Sapphire, also from Garbatulla, Isiolo Kenya. For further info, contact the following and do not let them give you the run-around.@UKenyatta President of Kenya, PS Minerals and Petroleum @ps_madinikenya and @MadiniKenya#thebigwhitelie

I did not expect the ending of #BlackPanther to hurt with Coates' almost nihilistic realism that I first felt at beginning of "Between the World and Me", but it did. That, the Tim Hardaway reference and Ryan Coogler's nod to Spike Lee's spinning dolly cam. 👌🏽🏆

I wish you could have been there for the opening in my neighbourhood with my son and I surround by other locals and heard the excitement from local aboriginal kids as the movie started. Their identification meant they shared in the representation and it moved me deeply.

With the release of #BlackPanther film I want to address some important but forgotten realities of the Black Panther Party (in 🇺🇸 & 🇦🇺) and confront some of the lies. The history has much to teach those of us committed to nonviolent organising for justice.

Happy #BlackHistoryMonth everyone. With the upcoming release of #BlackPanther I've compiled a list of Black directors and their works. They are all visionaries of their craft and changing the landscape for the ones to follow.

First up, of course is Ava DuVernay (@AVA)
Their works include: A Wrinkle in Time, Jay Z: Family Feud, 13th, Selma, Middle of Nowhere, and episodes of Queen Sugar and Scandal.

Next is Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele)
Their works include: Get Out, Keanu, as well as, the creator of Key and Peele. Upcoming works include: Lovecraft Country and The Last O.G.